Johnson Qualifies No. 1; Morgan Reaches Finals at U.S. Nationals
A pair of Team Mopar NHRA POWERade Pro Stock drivers posted outstanding outings at the U.S. Nationals on Monday, Sept. 1 at O'Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis, Ind. Mopar/J&J Racing Dodge Stratus R/T driver Allen Johnson qualified No. 1 at the event, one of the most prestigious stops on the NHRA calendar, while Mopar HEMI®-powered pilot Larry Morgan steered his Lucas Oil Dodge Stratus R/T to a finals berth and runner-up finish.
Johnson claimed his second No. 1 qualifying spot of the year (his first coming at Phoenix event in February) with a pass of 6.634/207.18. Johnson's fifth pole position of his career, marked the second straight year a HEMI-powered driver led the pack at the U.S. Nationals. May Naylor took top qualifying honors in 2007.
Johnson, a Greeneville, Tenn. native, took out HEMI-powered compatriot Vinnie Deceglie in the first round before falling to event winner Dave Connolly in the quarterfinals. Johnson has advanced to at least the quarterfinals in 14 of 18 NHRA POWERade events to date.
Morgan knocked off Jason Line in the first round then matched up with impressive Mopar-powered Pro Stock rookie Rickie Jones in the second stanza. Jones, making the show in his first appearance at the event known as "The Big Go," took a holeshot win over Ron Krisher in the first stanza but saw his luck run out against Morgan, a Pro Stock veteran. Morgan then dispatched Mike Edwards in the semis before falling to Connolly in the finals.
Johnson and V. Gaines, who failed to qualify for the U.S. Nationals, will represent Team Mopar in the Countdown to 1 playoffs, beginning in two weeks in the inaugural NHRA Carolinas Nationals in Concord, N.C. Johnson will begin the six-race playoffs fifth in the points standings, with Gaines eighth. For more info on the NHRA visit http://www.nhra.com.